Schedule a Free Consultation with a Toronto Therapist
Browse videos, and choose your best match based on availability, and most of all, fit.
Ready to find your next therapist? Explore the list of Toronto therapists offering free consultations below – view therapist profiles, watch video clips to get a feel for their style and approach and schedule a free consultation to get started today.
Therapists
Virlyn Collantes
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in BC and ON.
Waitlist
Virlyn Collantes
Registered Social Worker
She/Her/Hers
ADHD, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Maternal mental health, PTSD, Relationships, Separation and divorce
ADHD, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Maternal mental health, PTSD, Relationships, Separation and divorce
Alexandra Walcott
Occupational Therapist
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
Alexandra Walcott
Occupational Therapist
She/Her
Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Family issues, Attachment, Early childhood, Children/Teens, Giftedness Issues, Disability, School challenges, ADHD, Autism, Self-esteem, Highly Sensitive Person, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Body Dysmorphia, Eating disorders, Learning disabilities, Parenting, Neurodiversity
Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Family issues, Attachment, Early childhood, Children/Teens, Giftedness Issues, Disability, School challenges, ADHD, Autism, Self-esteem, Highly Sensitive Person, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Body Dysmorphia, Eating disorders, Learning disabilities, Parenting, Neurodiversity
Eda Mucaj
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Eda Mucaj
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Addiction, Depression, Dissociation, Anger, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic and acute illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating disorders, Emotional Numbness, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Addiction, Depression, Dissociation, Anger, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic and acute illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating disorders, Emotional Numbness, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues
Candice Frederick
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, and AB.
Waitlist
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Candice Frederick
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
she/her
Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Trauma, Stress, Sexuality, Self-Development, Relationships, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Grief/Loss, Money Trauma, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support
Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Trauma, Stress, Sexuality, Self-Development, Relationships, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Grief/Loss, Money Trauma, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support
Abhilesh Thomas Kollamparampil
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Abhilesh Thomas Kollamparampil
Registered Social Worker
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Adoption, Aging, Anger Management, Attachment, Building Self-Care Routines, Behaviour, Learning disabilities, Low mood
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Adoption, Aging, Anger Management, Attachment, Building Self-Care Routines, Behaviour, Learning disabilities, Low mood
Rachel Bennett
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in NU, YT, NT, MB, NL, ON, BC, and SK.
Waitlist
Rachel Bennett
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Borderline Personality Disorder, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity and Self-Exploration, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Highly Sensitive Person, Personal Growth, Depression, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Burnout, Nature-Based Spirituality, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Empowerment, Confidence, Reconnection to Lifeforce Energy & Vitality, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Bipolar Disorder, Shadow Work, Negative thinking and ruminating
Borderline Personality Disorder, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity and Self-Exploration, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Highly Sensitive Person, Personal Growth, Depression, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Burnout, Nature-Based Spirituality, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Empowerment, Confidence, Reconnection to Lifeforce Energy & Vitality, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Bipolar Disorder, Shadow Work, Negative thinking and ruminating
Wendy van Es
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON, MB, AB, SK, and NL.
Waitlist
Wendy van Es
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Panic attacks, Social anxiety, Depression, Depression coping skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Building Self-Care Routines, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Childhood trauma, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Empowerment, Mind-body connection, Self-Criticism, Anxiety, OCD
Panic attacks, Social anxiety, Depression, Depression coping skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Building Self-Care Routines, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Childhood trauma, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Empowerment, Mind-body connection, Self-Criticism, Anxiety, OCD
Michael Wassef
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, and AB.
Waitlist
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Michael Wassef
Registered Psychotherapist
Relationships, Couples Therapy, Attachment trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Childhood trauma, Depression, Family issues, Grief and Loss, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Parenting, Conflict resolution, Habits, Infidelity, Navigating challenging relationships, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Regulation, Relationship anxiety, Overwhelm, Negative thinking and ruminating, Motivation, Life transitions, Intimacy concerns, Highly Sensitive Person, Emotional regulation, Christian counselling, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Break-up recovery
Relationships, Couples Therapy, Attachment trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Childhood trauma, Depression, Family issues, Grief and Loss, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Parenting, Conflict resolution, Habits, Infidelity, Navigating challenging relationships, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Regulation, Relationship anxiety, Overwhelm, Negative thinking and ruminating, Motivation, Life transitions, Intimacy concerns, Highly Sensitive Person, Emotional regulation, Christian counselling, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Break-up recovery
Rebekkah Stainton
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
Rebekkah Stainton
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Attachment trauma, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, Dissociation, Familial and social relationships, Giftedness Issues, Goal Setting, Imposter syndrome, Interpersonal dynamics, Intergenerational trauma
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Attachment trauma, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, Dissociation, Familial and social relationships, Giftedness Issues, Goal Setting, Imposter syndrome, Interpersonal dynamics, Intergenerational trauma
Katie Harry
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Virtual Sessions in AB.
Waitlist
Katie Harry
Registered Provisional Psychologist
she/her
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attention and Impulsivity, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Conflict resolution, Dating challenges, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Life transitions, Parental divorce, PTSD, Self harm, Stress, Suicidal ideation, Workplace stress, Family Conflict
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attention and Impulsivity, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Conflict resolution, Dating challenges, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Life transitions, Parental divorce, PTSD, Self harm, Stress, Suicidal ideation, Workplace stress, Family Conflict
Mark Peterson
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in MB, AB, BC, SK, NT, YT, NU, PE, and NL.
Waitlist
Mark Peterson
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), ADHD, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Children/Teens, Christian counselling, Decision making, Depression, Early childhood, Eating disorders, Life transitions, Phobias, PTSD, Panic attacks
Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), ADHD, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Children/Teens, Christian counselling, Decision making, Depression, Early childhood, Eating disorders, Life transitions, Phobias, PTSD, Panic attacks
Sarah Lewis
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
Sarah Lewis
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/her
Grief and Loss, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Burnout, Caregivers, Caregiver burnout, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Grief Processing, Grief/Loss, Life transitions, Mindfulness, Parkinson's disease, Wellness Counselling
Grief and Loss, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Burnout, Caregivers, Caregiver burnout, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Grief Processing, Grief/Loss, Life transitions, Mindfulness, Parkinson's disease, Wellness Counselling
Therapy is hard work.
Finding the right therapist shouldn’t be. Over 10,000 Canadians found their new therapist with First Session.
Frequently asked therapy questions
Do all therapists offer free consultations?
It is common for therapists in private practice to offer free consults with potential clients, though some therapists may not offer them when they aren’t accepting new clients or they might charge for the initial consultation.
You can schedule a free consultation with nearly all of the therapists listed in our directory. It’s very helpful to be able to meet a potential therapist, learn about their values and approach, and to get a feel for overall compatibility.
What happens during a free consultation with a potential therapist?
A free consultation is similar to an introductory meeting, and is not a full therapy session. You’ll speak with the therapist about your mental health, what brings you to therapy, and they’ll share with you how they approach therapy, what to expect in full-length sessions, and more practical matters like scheduling, payment, and confidentiality.
What should I be ready to share with the therapist during the consult?
Be prepared to briefly discuss what brings you to therapy and what you hope to achieve. Sharing any relevant personal history or current challenges can help the therapist understand your needs.
How will I know if I found the right therapist for me?
The biggest piece of advice: trust your instincts. Are you looking forward to the idea of speaking with them again? How do you feel when you think about opening up to them? Was there anything in particular they said during the consultation that stood out to you?
What happens if I don’t want to continue seeing a therapist after the free consultation?
If you choose not to proceed, that's perfectly okay. Therapy is very personal, and finding the right fit is crucial. You're under no obligation to continue after a free consultation.
How do I start booking sessions after a free consultation?
The therapist will likely leave it up to you to book a full-length session after your consultation – it’s about you feeling ready to start, not about being sales-y or trying to convince you.
What are the different types of therapists in Ontario?
In Ontario, there are four regulated types of therapists:
- Psychiatrists are practicing doctors and are able to both diagnose mental illnesses and disorders and prescribe medication.
- Psychologists in Ontario have earned a PhD in psychology (“psychology associates” will have a master’s degree). Psychologists can diagnose mental health conditions as well as offer psychotherapy.
- Psychotherapists in Ontario are regulated by provincial law. They can provide therapy and counselling services using a specialized approach or by combining different modalities.
- Social workers in Ontario hold either a bachelor’s degree (RSW) or master’s degree (MSW), and many social workers offer counselling services through private practice.
Is therapy covered by OHIP? Can I use my work health insurance?
There are a few scenarios where therapy is covered by provincial healthcare (OHIP), including:
- a visit to a psychiatrist via a doctor’s referral
- a family doctor who also provides psychotherapy services
- a therapist working in a hospital or another public health setting.
The Ontario government also has a resources page with affordable and accessible mental healthcare options.
Workplace insurance benefits can reduce or even fully cover out-of-pocket expenses to see a therapist in private practice. After paying for your session, you then submit your receipt as a claim to your insurance plan for reimbursement.
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